Genomic Evidence for Direct Transmission of mecC-MRSA between a Horse and Its Veterinarian.
Abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bearing the mecC gene (mecC-MRSA) has been reported from animals and humans in recent years. This study describes the first mecC-MRSA isolates of human and equine origin in Hungary (two isolates from horses and one from a veterinarian, who treated one of the infected horses, but was asymptomatic). MRSA isolates were identified by cultivation and PCR detection of the species-specific spa gene and mecA/mecC methicillin resistance genes. The isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, MLST, spa, SCCmec typing, PFGE and whole genome sequencing (WGS). All three isolates belonged to the ST130-t843-SCCmec XI genotype, and carried the mecC and blaZ genes. Apart from beta-lactam drugs, they were sensitive to all tested antibiotics. The isolates of the infected horse and its veterinarian had the same PFGE pulsotype and showed only slight differences with WGS. Hence, this is the first description of direct transmission of a mecC-carrying MRSA between a horse and its veterinarian. The emergence of mecC in the country highlights the importance of the appropriate diagnostics in MRSA identification.
Publication Date: 2023-02-17 PubMed ID: 36830318PubMed Central: PMC9952710DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020408Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research indicates a documented case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission from a horse to a veterinarian in Hungary, focusing on a specific strain of the bacteria, mecC-MRSA. The report supports the relevance of thorough diagnostics in identifying MRSA.
AIMS & METHODS OF THE RESEARCH
- The research was intended to document the first identified cases of mecC-MRSA (a specific type of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in both a horse and a human (the treating veterinarian) in Hungary.
- In order to achieve this, the investigators employed a range of methodologies including cultivation and PCR detection for identification of MRSA, susceptibility testing for antibiotics, as well as several typing methods such MLST, SCCmec, spa typing, and PFGE to characterize the bacteria.
- Additionally, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was executed to provide a deeper insight into the genetic constitution of the identified MRSA isolates.
RESULTS
- The researchers found that all three MRSA isolates (two from horses, one from a veterinarian) belonged to the ST130-t843-SCCmec XI genotype and carried the mecA and mecC genes.
- Though immune to beta-lactam antibiotics, the isolates were sensitive to all other tested antibiotics.
- The MRSA isolates from the infected horse and the veterinarian demonstrated near-identical PFGE pulsotypes and showed only minor differences when analyzed via whole genome sequencing.
CONCLUSION
- The findings imply a direct transmission of MRSA carrying the mecA gene from a horse to a human.
- This serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of thorough diagnostic approaches when dealing with MRSA both in humans and animals.
- The emergence of this mecC-bearing MRSA in Hungary urges the global community to pay more heed to the surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria amongst animals and humans.
Cite This Article
APA
Albert E, Sahin-Tóth J, Horváth A, Papp M, Biksi I, Dobay O.
(2023).
Genomic Evidence for Direct Transmission of mecC-MRSA between a Horse and Its Veterinarian.
Antibiotics (Basel), 12(2).
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020408 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Dóra Major, HU-2225 Üllő, Hungary.
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Tér 4., HU-1089 Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Tér 4., HU-1089 Budapest, Hungary.
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2., HU-1078 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Dóra Major, HU-2225 Üllő, Hungary.
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Tér 4., HU-1089 Budapest, Hungary.
Grant Funding
- TKP2020-NKA-01 / National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
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